Thanks Dave. Regarding the internal (fresh water) cooling system with
filler cap at top of engine: it's my understanding that while, as you point
out, the water heater is "connected" to it (that is, heat from the engine
helps heat water in the HW heater, the water systems are actually separate,
i.e., the water from the cooling system doesn't actually mingle with the
water in the HW heater. Unless I'm mistaken. So my question, or assumption,
is that I can use regular toxic automotive-type antifreeze in the internal
cooling system. I'm looking for some confirmation of what is probably
obvious to most people. Thanks.
At 12:32 PM 11/25/2005, you wrote:
Jeff,
I'll defer to others but in the event no one steps forward to answer your
question I think you should drain your fresh water system as you have the
water heater connected to it. And, of course, drain the fresh water
supply. You could flush a small amount of bio degradable anti freeze
intended for fresh potable water systems through the pumps just in
case. Do the same for your head and holding tank, after you drain it
too. Toxic anti-freeze such as automobile anti-freeze should only be used
within a contained system with no chance of leakage into your fresh water
system or the environment. .
We do this in Maine where the winters are quite severe.
Best regards,
Dave Hoy
WYANOKEE #6295
Camden, Maine
Jeffery L. Sheler wrote:
I'm planning to keep my boat in the water all winter (second year in a
row) and will be doing a variety of winterizing tasks over the next few
days. Last year, I didn't do much to the engine (Universal M-18) but kept
a 100-watt trouble light burning beneath the block. I closed the seacock
but didn't drain the raw water cooling system or fill it with antifreeze.
Winters here in southern Virginia aren't terribly severe, but I'm
thinking nonetheless that I was probably lucky that things came through
the winter without a problem.
This year I want to be more careful. I plan to fill the raw water system
with glycol anti-freeze, but what about the internal fresh water cooling
system? Since the filler cap is at the top of the engine, there isn't
room to visually inspect to determine the water level, and I have no idea
when the last time antifreeze may have been added (that was my first year
with the boat). Should I just go ahead and pour in antifreeze until it
fills to the top? If I overfill, does that create a problem (other than
the clean-up mess of having antifreeze spilling over into the engine
compartment and bilge)? And I assume I can use ordinary automotive
antifreeze in that system, am I right?
Thanks.
Jeff Sheler
s/v Windsome
C27TR #6594
Hampton, VA
Jeff Sheler
s/v Windsome
C27TR #6594
Hampton, VA
